I've been growing them successfully in the ground, and outside in pots, for eight years here, and for a couple of years in Maryland way back when. We get all of our rainfall Nov. - May, and lots of it, with lows dipping in the mid thirties. It doesn't bother my old pair of obesa at all, even though Desert-Tropicals care advise is for totally dry conditions during a winter dormancy.

Summers here have low humidity, no rain, with highs usually the mid-eighties, with rare 90-100F days. I water fairly liberally during the summer, meaning every couple of weeks. These conditions are similar to obesa's native cape region of S. Africa which is almost the same latitude as here.

This environment is very different than your growing conditions, but the plant seems to be pretty tough. When I grew one in Maryland, the humidity had a large influence on how fast the soil mix dries out, so use something super porous, with 90% inorganics like perlite, pumice, gravel, turface, etc. in the 1/8 to 3/8-inch size range. I think you can grow it outside, but keep an eye on soil conditions.

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Brad

Thanks Brad.

Did you grow them in the ground in Maryland??? Whereabouts, I live in Pa close to the MD border, and would be intrigued to try this.

Also, does this plant transplant well? I've had it for two years, I should probably repot it.

No, not in the ground in Columbia, MD. Ten years ago, I only had a couple of obesa, and they were in pots. They are pictured above in my C&S bed where they grew happily for many years. I was fortunate to get a male and female pair who flower regularly twice a year and make a lot of seed. I moved them eight-inch pots a couple of years ago while rearranging plants in the bed.

Color is dependent on sun exposure. After moving them to containers in a spot getting a little less sunlight, they became more green. Since these two have been around for more than ten years, traveled cross-country in a box, tolerated the cold and wet winters here in northern California, and thrived on my neglect, I think they are pretty tough. But no way are they tough enough to tolerate long periods of freezing temperatures.

Growing the ground year-round near the Mason-Dixon line is not possible, but they would probably enjoy spending their spring and summers outside. If you are getting those afternoon summer showers frequently, some protection from the deluge might be a good idea ;)

Brad